Tag: Nearest Tire Shop South Orange

It happens to all of us at one point in time. We get into an automobile collision and need the best auto body shop in South Orange. Hopefully, it is not too bad and we are not seriously injured. But usually the car does not fare as well and comes away with significant damage.

What is the next step after your collision and you need an auto body shop?

Likely, after informing the insurance company you take your vehicle to one of their “approved” vendors.

Here is what happens next. You tell the insurance company what company you choose. By this time they have already taken phones of the car and know how extensive the damage is. If you need an expert to take a look, make sure you go to a repair shop in South Orange.

They have a computer system that gives them a printed estimate stating what the replacement parts and labor will be based upon a set hourly rate.

This statement is given to the body shop. It comes with a break down of what the labor and parts “should” be and the company has to usually be able to totally fix the car for that price.

Auto Glass and Body Shops

Keep in mind that what is printed out represents the best case scenario and doesn’t allow for items on the car that was missed or problems that come up.

Now here are some things to watch out for. a local auto body shop in South Orange is operating under very, very thin margins and the incentive to “cut corners” is huge. Getting an extra $300 off a job can really add up over the course of the month when you are talking about doing at least 3-5 vehicles every week.

Secrets of the Auto Body Shop

Replacement Parts in Auto Body Shops

Make sure the parts being used on your car are OEM parts. These are replacement auto body parts in South Orange are sent directly from the car manufacturers and are designed with the same specs as the vehicle came with.

Aftermarket parts can be significantly cheaper yet are not the same quality and make not hold up the same in the event of another accident.

No Realignment? Talk to Your Auto Repair Team!

The frame is usually somewhat bent when a car goes through an accident of any kind. It needs to be properly realigned. You need a serious all hands on deck auto body shop to take care of you here.

Unfortunately, because the money made off one car can be very little the propensity to skip this step is very high. Later down the road this will cause your car to not drive straight but at a tilt and your tires will wear prematurely. So if you need to brush up on some tire repair, ask your mechanic straight away.

Using Bondo (Fillers) Instead of Replacing the Part

Filling any damage in with bondo is not bad in itself. If you know what the auto body shop in South Orange is doing, they tell you, and this is what you are paying for then it is fine.

The problem comes in when you think you are getting a vehicle back that is 99.9% the same as before it was wrecked and it is not. Filling a damaged part in with filler rather than replacing the expensive part is a common tactic and you want to make sure it is not done on your vehicle.

How to Spot a Scam Auto Body Shop

All damaged parts should be replaced unless you are paying a lower price for the car to just be fixed (in the case you want the cheapest price and do not care about having a car exactly the same as before). Again, you should really speak to your best auto body shop nearest you!

Keep in mind that most auto body repair shops are honest and are surviving in a tough industry.

GOOSE ISLAND.

IN SOME OF THESE CASES, THE VICTIMS SAY THE SCAMMERS ENDED UP DAMAGING THEIR CARS? Reporter: YES, ADDING A NEW LAYER TO THIS SCHEME.

THIS IS ONE OF THE AREAS THAT THE FAKE AUTO BODY REPAIRMEN HAVE HIT RECENTLY, AND AT LEAST TWO CASES TARGETING CARS IN BROAD DAYLIGHT, WITH NEW LICENSE PLATES.

THE VICTIM I SPOKE WITH TONIGHT SAYS SHE FELT TRAPPED.

THIS IS HOW TO PROPERLY FIX A CAR DENT.

THIS IS NOT.

IT IS VIDEO OF A SCAM THAT IS ALSO REARING ITS UGLY HEAD AGAIN IN CHICAGO WITH A TWIST.

HOW MUCH MONEY DID THEY GET FROM YOU? I TOOK OUT I THINK $600.

Reporter: THIS NORTHSIDE WOMAN, WHO DID NOT WANT TO BE IDENTIFIED, SAYS SHE WAS PARALLEL PARKING IN THIS AREA EARLIER THIS MONTH, WHEN A CAR PULLED UP NEXT TO HER, AND A MAN ROLLED DOWN THE WINDOW.

HE SAID HEY, I AM JIMMY, AND YOU HAVE A BIG DENT ON THE BACK OF YOUR CAR.

I JUST CAME FROM FIXING THE BOSSES CAR, I HAVE ALL THE TOOLS IN THE CAR, I CAN FIX IT.

Reporter: TWO MEN HOPPED OUT OF THE CAR AND PUT A CONTRAPTION -- LIKE A PULLER ON THE FRONT OF MY CAR -- Reporter: DAMAGING IT.

DOMINIC MARTINEZ SAYS SOME SCAMMERS CLAIM TO THEY WORKED FOR HIM.

THEY DID NOT.

I WOULD SAY IN THE LAST TWO OR THREE YEARS, I HAVE HEARD ABOUT IT 20 TO 30 TIMES.

Reporter: INVESTIGATORS FIRST EXPOSED THIS SCAM 13 MONTHS AGO.

PAST VICTIMS LIKE LINDA DULUTH SAYS SHE WILLINGLY PAID THE SCAMMERS, WHO USED A COMPOUND TO FILL A DENT, AND THEN PAINTING OVER IT, MAKING THE DAMAGE WORSE, COSTING HER MORE.

IT IS EMBARRASSING I GOT DUPED.

Reporter: THE NORTHSIDE VICTIM TRIED TO REPORT IT -- CALLED THE POLICE, THEY SAID THIS IS GOING AROUND THE CITY.

Reporter: SHE SAYS POLICE DID NOTHING.

MARTINO'S ADVICE -- THE FIRST THING PEOPLE NEED TO KNOW IS THAT CORRECT COLLISION REPAIR WORK CANNOT BE DONE ON THE STREET.

Reporter: CHICAGO POLICE TONIGHT WERE NOT ABLE TO GET US INSIDE INTO HOW OFTEN THIS WAS HAPPENING, OR WHY.

IN THE LATEST VICTIM'S CASE, SHE WAS TOLD THEY COULD DO NOTHING ABOUT IT.

A SPOKESPERSON SAYS DEPENDING ON THE INCIDENT, IT COULD BE CLASSIFIED AS SEVERAL DIFFERENT TYPES OF CRIMES, OR NONE AT ALL.

BUT, IF SOMEONE FEELS.

Auto Body Repair: Pull on a 2005 Ford Focus

The insurance companies nickel and dime them at every turn and they are made to give them at time ridiculous discounts to get any business. That’s why having an auto body shop in your corner can’t be stressed enough.

Nevertheless, all an auto body shop should be on is your side and corners should not be cut at your expense and being watchful is just a smart way to go.

Your Auto Body Shop In South Orange Should Help You With What Car Needs Exactly?

A car is a very complex piece of machinery. Each individual part is vigorously tested before it ever goes into production models and, like a chain, relies upon every other part in order for the vehicle to function. One poorly built aspect can cause serious malfunctions leading to costly repairs, or worse, an accident.

Even something as simple as the glues used to hold a tire tread to the rest of the tire is an integral part of a car or truck. Just ask Firestone. That exact issue resulted in a costly recall of thousands of tires, legal recourse, as well as over 500 injuries and 148 deaths. All of which could have been prevented with only a little bit of testing. Be wary of new designs rushed into mass production.

Often a seemingly superficial part to a vehicle actually provides a significant amount of safety. Everyone knows a windshield protects the driver and passenger from wind and debris. Most also know that they are also designed with a thin film that prevents them shattering upon impact. What most people don't know is that the windshield provides over half of the structural support for the car during an impact. The windshield combined with the frame of the car makes it structurally safer than a car without one. Cracks in a windshield can greatly reduce their protective power, as well as obstruct the driver's view which is even more dangerous.

Replacing or repairing cracks and chips in a windshield should be done by trained professional at a certified and insured auto glass or body shop. Avoid independent installers and people who operate only out of their truck. The adhesive used dries in about an hour, so if any body shops quote you a turn around time less than that, they are either lying or don't know what they are doing.

Also, it is a good idea to know a little bit about the glass windshields they will be installing. There are three aftermarket windshields that exceed OEM and DOT specs, they are P.P.G., L.O.F. and Plinkington.

Other suitable windshields are made by the car factory. Ford's factory glass is called Carlite, and Chrysler's is Safeguard. Expect to pay more money for factory glass. A good auto glass installer will sand all the rust around the windshield after it is removed, and then prime and paint it before installing the new windshield. It is best to go with body shops that have been around for at least five years as they are more likely to be around to guarantee warranties and make repairs in the future. Many shops will also work with your insurance carrier to get you the best price on a windshield, sometimes completely paid for by the insurance company.

Body repair is another story and can become very expensive. Newer cars with plastic and fiberglass bodies are almost impossible to repair, the body panels are often much easier to just replace, and that can be accomplished by almost anyone with a wrench and screw driver. Repairing dents and rust on metal bodies can be time consuming as well as expensive. It also requires a matching paint job which is similarly expensive. If the dented or rusted panels can be removed it makes it much easier. Dents can be pounded back into shape. In addition to this, it is often just easier to work on and paint a detached piece. Some work can be done by the average Joe, but extensive body work should be done at an established body shop.